cold & wet... heaven

We have been visiting family and enjoying the countryside of Western New York.  The first day we went for a long walk down our dirt road.  It was overcast and rainy the first week we were here, perfect weather for a few desert rats tired of the Southwest heat.  We found two salamanders and the boys were interested in how they differ from our desert lizards. 

It sounds funny but just wearing sweaters we never pull out until winter in the Southwest was super exciting for us.  Silly Owen, who is used to warm rains went out in the cold rain here to play.  Before I could get him dressed he was out in the rain in his undies.  He came back 3 minutes later saying, "Whew, it's CHILLY out there!".  We then got properly dressed and went out to play.  We laughed when Gramma came out in her nightgown to take a picture of those crazy New Mexicans who were playing on the swing set in the rain.  I said, "Who's crazy you're in your nightgown, in the rain taking pictures of us!"  We all had a good laugh.

I have many more fun things to share.  Until next time...

Seedlings & Sprouts, an update...

So much of the garden is volunteer this year, I'm not completely sure of some of what's growing. I love that!  I love learning to recognize seedlings.  French Marigolds & Nasturtiums are popping up everywhere and now that I've grown them from seed for the past few years I can recognize them.  This time of the year is so exciting.  I have the memory of how the garden looked last year at its peak and I want that!  But that time of the year is just a fleeting glimpse of the very hottest point of summer. It's such a reminder to stop and enjoy this moment when everything is beginning anew. 

This looks to be zucchini.  I had wondered if it was summer squash but I compared pics from last year and it appears not. This is where I had wanted to have a butterfly/ bee garden.  The Borage is
coming up beautifully and there are a few flower seedlings under the right zucchini. I wonder what they will become?  Perhaps the zucchini knew right where it would be pollinated best. 

Cherry tomatoes are popping out already, green and full of potential.  Last year I tried yellow pear & grape tomatoes and I guess I decided I didn't like them much. I did try to enjoy them but we're back to cherry this year!

 

My  other "sprouts" are growing well too.  Lately wherever we go Owen has been asking women, young and old, for their hand, kissing it and then telling them they are beautiful. I'm learning this boy LOVES getting a reaction.  It's pretty darn cute.  Whenever he sees me annoyed or getting stressed about something, he forms his hands and forearms into a heart and says, "Mom. Hearts & love".  It always melts my mood, how could it not?

Both of these little sprouts melt my heart and drive me crazy everyday.  If you're a Mom, you'll know exactly what I mean by that. 

In our front yard where the Spring bulbs came up, we threw shade flower seed.  I can't wait to see what these seedlings will become. I love the idea of perennial flower/veggie gardens.  I want to see this effortlessly beautiful all throughout the season. 

There are plenty of other "seedling" projects going on here, including some really exciting Homeschool developments.  More on that another time. 

Until next time...

9 years round the sun...

On your Birthday, the 24th of December. (I'm a little late in finishing this post)

Dear Michael,

You arrived on Christmas eve nine years ago and you were and always will be the best Christmas present we could have ever hoped for. Today you are a strong, tall beautiful boy with soulful chocolate eyes. You are sweet and sensitive and loving.  I love that you tell our life long friends that you love them and give them hugs and extra hugs when you see they are upset.  Though when boys your age are around I have to remember to not brush your face affectionately or reach out and hug you.  This is a new revelation, this needing to be a little separate from Mom. I so celebrate all these little milestones that you are growing up good and strong. 

You love playing Legos, dressing up in play clothes and being imaginative with your brother.  You won't admit it but your brother is your best friend and buddy.

You are smart and love to learn anything about nature, animals and science. This year you found swimming as a new passion.  You were terrified of pools at the beginning of summer, you wouldn't let me teach you. We had many conversations about facing fears in life and by the end of the summer and a swimming camp you were swimming like a fish and learning all the strokes.  How proud I was to see you boldly swimming back and forth across the pool, knowing that it wasn't just a new skill learned but one of your first fears met and faced down.

You met a soul friend.  You met him at a museum, began talking about Legos and never stopped.  His father and I looked at each other and said "I guess we need to get them together".  You also experienced him moving away and the sadness that comes with that.  Now you keep in touch with him through letters, email & phone calls.  Calling friends, what a new revelation!  I love overhearing your short conversations, mostly about your newest Lego creations.

A few days before your birthday you had some best buddies over and a birthday sleep over.  You asked for lavender cake and said it is your favorite.  You boys actually fell asleep quickly and woke up way too early, exhausted but so happy.

It's such a privilege to be your Mom.  I love you with all my heart!

Christmas Picture Outtakes

Me: Let's take a nice Christmas picture for our family boys.

Owen: Look Mom I'm a dog! 

Michael: Nothing cutsie!

Michael: You're touching me...grrr...

 

Owen: Look, a bird!

 

Owen: Look a bug!

Michael: I am so annoyed with you right now.

Michael: Stop touching me Owen! 

Michael: Let's just smile really big and get this over with!

 

 Michael: Something we can agree on.  Cat: Hold me a second longer and I'll scratch out your eyes.

 

This is as good as it gets, Merry Christmas 2013!

(hmmm, I think I like the cat picture best.  What do you think friends?  Seriously, there are two decent ones out of thirty!)

Embroidery Hoop Jack O' Lanterns

I thrift-ed these beautiful, vintage, embroidery hoops awhile ago and was looking for just the right project for them.  Finally a fun Halloween sewing project came to mind.  I found this bright orange patterned fabric and we cut up a black, felted wool sweater to make jack o' lanterns. I was going to have the boys cut out their own shapes for faces but they had their own ideas.  

Owen loved the idea of them but was not so interested in the actual making of them.  Instead, he was busy making his own Halloween project. More on that later.  Michael was excited to make a specific jack o' lantern he saw on some napkins we bought at Target. He wanted nothing to do with the cutting part.

The top jack o' lantern is Michael's.  For his I traced an oak leaf and cut out eye holes for the mask-like eyes.  He was thrilled with the spooky effect.  Then for mine, the one on the bottom, I did the same by tracing maple leaf patterns & cutting holes in them.  If you want to make these, Google leaf patterns and you'll find many to choose from.  Michael is still working on his bit by bit.

As for 4 year old Owen, a cute story:  lately he's been obsessed with cutting paper, gluing and drawing.  So this day he was busy making Halloween costumes for the birds.  He made a tiny shirt, pants, a mask and hat.  Without saying a word he put them outside under a tree.  It was only later I found out what he did when he came inside excited they were gone.  He just new some little bird was excited about his new Halloween costume!  Oh kid cuteness, my heart just swells...

So, how are you celebrating the season?  

Until next time...

Home School Rocks!

Another year of home school has begun for us!  This is our fourth year homeschooling.  Our style this year is an eclectic mix of curricula and materials, classic children's literature with a heavy influence of Waldorf rhythm, focus on nature, arts & crafts and festivals. 

We've begun this year with so much enthusiasm! It's nice to feel this excited about home school after such a challenging year last year (for me). This past spring I wasn't even sure I wanted to continue and we put Michael's name into a lottery for a really good charter school in our area. As soon as I gained a sense of peace about homeschooling, Michael did get into the charter school. It was offered to him just a few days ago. I went to meet with the teacher and realized through the process that he is one lucky boy to be able to work at his own pace at home.  Reading has not come easily for him, so we are using All About Reading this year.  He really enjoys it and it's nice to see marked improvement. So, we happily gave up his spot at the charter school and have realized truly how fortunate we are to be following our own path.

I haven't been able to keep 4 year old Owen happy with drawing or playing while we work, so he is doing "school" too this year and having so much fun with it.  He can't seem to get enough. His excitement is boundless and contagious.  He still does not quite understand when it's his brother's turn, so I'm working on finding quiet things for him to do while we work.  I'm thinking some of that pumpkin pie spiced play dough is in order.  We will be doing a Fall circle time, my boys have insisted!  I'm so excited to pull out the songs we sang last year and the before and the year before that, they are like old friends now that come to visit each year. 

I feel much more at home with our eclectic home school style now.  I feel like I'm finding my groove as a teacher & even that balance between formal school and child-led interest.  It feels so good to be letting go of the things that do not work for us and embracing the things that do! 

Until next time...

Please read this post as simply our experience, our journey in schooling and not a judgment call on any form of schooling.  I truly believe there are infinite ways & methods of learning both at home and in a school building.  There is no one right and perfect way.

{ this moment }

{this moment} - "A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."
Amanda Soule

Go to SouleMama to participate. 

Christmas Card Bloopers, 2012!

Merry Christmas, Friends & Family! 

Eight Trips Round the Sun!

Michael is 8 years old! 

Michael with best buddies Liam & Morgan (in war paint)

Where have the years gone? Seems like he was just this size!




We had a small celebration for him yesterday. I don't have many pictures of it as my camera just doesn't seem to like my home.  So I"ll have to describe it.  It was a winter wonderland theme.  We made marshmallow snowmen. 

We decorated with blue & white ribbons, bells & paper snowflakes.

We ate lasagna, pizza for the children & New York style cheesecake for all.

We were supposed to make Jack Frost dolls but they boys were too busy playing to be interested.
So my friend Monica and I crafted them.

And here's my big boy today. 8 years old!  We love you Michael!

Until next time...